Three Entities Competing to Build a Third International Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018 

With the entry of Maverick County, Texas in seeking to build a third international bridge north of Eagle Pass, Texas, the number of local entities competing for a United States Presidential Permit to build a third international bridge between Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico increased to three-the City of Eagle Pass, Maverick County, and Eagle Pass Railroad Company, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Dos Republicas Coal Partnership.

In 2017, Maverick County Commissioners Court approved a $100,000 feasibility study be conducted by a San Antonio, Texas engineering and consulting firm, Rabba Kistner, regarding the demand and cost of building a third international bridge north of the City of Eagle Pass that would be dedicated for commercial traffic.  County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz has led the mission for Maverick County to own and build its own international bridge so that Maverick County can have a revenue generating enterprise such as the City of Eagle Pass’ two bridges, which generates over $11 Million per year to the City coffers.  

Commissioner Ruiz cites the growing potential of the oil, gas and energy markets between the United States and Mexico will generate a significant need for a third international bridge between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico solely dedicated to commercial transportation traffic while generating revenues for Maverick County. 

Maverick County Commissioners Court are awaiting the much anticipated feasibility study from its engineering consulting firm to determine whether to proceed with the lengthy and expensive process of obtaining a United States Presidential Permit for a third international bridge.

Meanwhile, the City of Eagle Pass has also expressed interest in pursuing a third international bridge to prepare for the fast and growing development and international trade expected in the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico port of entry.  The Eagle Pass City Council has appointed Mayor Ramsey English Cantu to pursue the City’s interest in developing a third international bridge, although it has not formally approved the filing of an application for the United States Presidential Permit.

The City of Eagle Pass owns two international bridges with one bridge opened 24 hours a day, year round (Bridge II) and another bridge that is open part-time (Bridge I) due to lack of CBP funding to staff it 24 hours a day as well as other reasons.   The City of Eagle Pass Bridge No. 1 still has the capacity to become operational 24 hours a day, year round and handle additional automobile and pedestrian traffic upon the federal government providing the necessary funding to hire additional staff.

A third entity that has applied with the United States Surface Trasnportation Board in Washington, D.C. to build a third international bridge north of the City of Eagle Pass dedicated to railroad traffic is a private company named Eagle Pass Railroad Company, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Dos Republicas Coal Partnership.

All three entities are competing against each other to build a third international bridge at the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico border.  Eventually, one entity will receive a permit in the future, unless two or more of these entities would enter a joint partnership to pursue and develop the third international bridge.  Many political, economic, and legal issues remain to be resolved for Eagle Pass to receive a United States Presidential Permit to develop and operate a third international bridge in the future.